Graveside services with full military honors were held for Naval Commander and Esparto High graduate John Regelbrugge III Wednesday morning.

John, 49, was buried in Cottonwood Cemetery just outside of Madison. He lies near his mother, Grace, who died in July from pancreatic cancer, and his paternal grandparents.

John's wife Kris, 44, is among the 10 people still missing in the Oso, Wash., deadly mudslide debris that hit the small town on March 22. Still, a picture of the couple was displayed behind John's coffin and speakers paid tribute to Kris as well.

"God has given us an end to the story and the end of the story isn't death. The last word of our story is life," said Naval Capt. John Swanson, a chaplain for Navy Region Northwest who knew John well. "It's an Easter story that both John and Kris share and believe.

"Death does not have the final word in our lives. Death is really like a deployment; today we stand on the pier and wave good-bye, knowing we will one day be reunited."

Swanson spoke of John as a religious and deeply spiritual man, with a quick wit, who had an insatiable desire for learning and riding Harleys. He loved to tie knots, and Swanson passed around a "monkey fist" knot John made him, saying how the knot represented John's bonds with people, including his sailors.

"He not only loved life, but he lived life," said Swanson.

John could captivate a room, Swanson went on, keeping listeners spellbound with a story or a joke. He loved his family, his country and the Navy, he added, saying what made John a great leader is that he loved his sailors.

Swanson described Kris as a gracious lady who had her own wit and sense of humor.

"She was in many ways (John's) anchor, his rock, his inspiration," he said.

John and Kris had three sons, two daughters, a grandchild and another on the way. Kris' parents were among the mourners, though John's father, John Regelbrugge II, was in the hospital and unable to attend the service.

John's oldest son Brian, who also serves in the Navy, spoke of his parents, saying they are happy to be in heaven together, never growing old, and staying beautiful forever.

"We're not here to mourn the passing of our parents but to celebrate their lives," said Brian. "We can't be sad for time not spent in the future."

Brian addressed his siblings and said that while he is no replacement for John, he will always be there for the family.

"My children just gained two guardian angels," he finished.

John's brother Greg also spoke of the couple, of their love for one another, and how their spirits are still with loved ones. John called Kris his "bird" and his ringtone for her was chirping.

"Simply put, he is my hero," said Greg.

John, one of five children, was discovered by his brothers and sons near his sword and uniforms in the rubble. John's dog lay next to him.

He was positively identified by the Snohomish County coroner on March 29. As of Wednesday, the medical examiner's office had received 35 victims from the State Route 530 mudslide, had positively identified 31, and is working diligently on identifying the remaining victims.

The county's website lists 10 people still missing, including Kris.

John graduated from Esparto High School in 1982 and joined the Navy just after. He assumed his new role as Officer in Charge for the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility Detachment in Everett, Wash., only last month.

This June, John would have served in the Navy for 32 years. He planned on retiring after around 38 years in the Navy and hoped to have reached the position of captain.